Residents of Monroe, Michigan (population: 20,733) got a surprise on Monday night when Stephen Colbert guest hosted “Only In Monroe” on Monroe Public Access Cable Television (MPACT).
“Welcome to another edition of ‘Only In Monroe,’” said Colbert as he watered fake plants on set. “I’m Stephen Colbert filling in for your usual hosts Michelle Bowman and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson. I’m not sure how many people that is, but none of them could be here tonight.”
Colbert, who succeeds David Letterman as host of CBS’ “The Late Show” in September, went on to thank the tiny Michigan public access station.
“I’m so grateful for the hospitality shown to me by everyone here at Monroe Public Access Cable Television, or MPACT. They are all team players because they know there is no ‘I’ in MPACT.”
Colbert painted his nails with the show’s regular hosts (who as it turns out couldn’t work that night because they were booked as Colbert’s guests) and spoke to a “local Michigander who is making a name for himself in the competitive world of music, Marshall Mathers” (a.k.a. Eminem).
“Are you political? Because a lot of rap is very political and some of it is just good booty rhymes. Are you more political or more booty rhymes?” Colbert asked.
“In the middle,” said Eminem.
“Right in the middle of the booty?” Colbert shot back.
“Right in the crack.”
Later the host asked the rapper how to find a work-life balance.
“I meditate a lot,” Eminem said. “I’m meditating right now.”
“Really,” asked Colbert.
“Yeah, ’cause this is really fucking weird.”
Watch the entire 41-minute episode of “Only In Monroe” here.
And for those living in Monroe: ‘Only in Monroe’ is cablecast simultaneously over Comcast Channel 21/916 and Charter Communications Channel 187.